‘They let me break the tape’

Butler, Hudson lead Allison Butler Memorial 5K field

By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com

ROCKINGHAM — Familiarity breeds contempt.

That could be a reason why Rockingham harrier Camerson Hudson doesn’t always post her best times while running a race, or even a high school time trial, at Hinson Lake. On the other hand, a first is a first.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Cameron Hudson crosses the finish line on Saturday as top female in the second annual Allison Butler Memorial 5K at Hinson Lake.

Though the Raiders sophomore has won more than once, there was a tape at the finish line for her to cut through to officially declare her first female on Saturday in the second annual Allison Butler Memorial 5K. And that, she said, made getting to the finish line all the more worthwhile.

“They late me break the tape,” Hudson said to Raiders teammate Katie Taylor. “I’ve never done that before.”

Hudson led all female finishers around the two-loop trail course in 24 minutes and 27 seconds, good for eighth overall. Though it’s more than 90 seconds off her season personal best set last month at the regional championship meet at the Carolina Horse Park in Raeford, Hudson said she knows the trails well. Maybe too well.

Blair Fetner, 29, was second in the women’s standings in 26:03 while 11-year-old Alena Craddock was third in 27:14.

Hudson and Taylor, who along with their fellow cross country team members train daily at Hinson Lake, are familiar with nearly every root, wooden footbridge and possible misstep on the course. It’s easy to get comfortable and know when to relax — and just as difficult to ramp back up.

The evidence suggest she’s on to something. On. Sept. 2, Hudson finished a 5K high school race at Hinson Lake in 24:26.5. On Sept. 23, it was 24:06 on the same course. The only difference between Saturday and the September events is that runners ran the course in a different direction.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Kyle Butler, left, separated himself from the rest of the field with a half mile to go to win by 30 seconds.

Hudson might get some empathy from Kyle Butler. The 27-year-old Rockingham man won the overall title in 18:13 — 14 seconds faster than last year but not to his standard.

He had Mitchell Keiser as a tag-along for three quarters of the race, but with a half mile to go, “I just started pulling way.”

“I don’t know if I sped up or if he slowed down,” Butler said.

Butler said that despite the difference from last year’s performance, he’s not as in good of shape now compared to this time last year. He expects that to soon change. Butler said he plans to run the inaugural Ellerbe Farmers Parade 5K on Nov. 22 and then begin training in earnest for an early Spring marathon.

His goal: A Boston Marathon-qualifying time. For any man ages 18 to 34, that means an effort of 3 hours and 5 minutes at the distance, or about 7 minutes and 3 seconds per mile for 26 consecutive miles, plus the 385 yards to the finish line.

Mark Long, 55, of Hamlet, was the top 40-and-over finisher, placing third overall in 21:58.

The event, proceeds from which benefit Richmond County Animal Advocates, is organized by family members of the late Allison Butler. Allison died at the age of 17 in November 2012 when the vehicle in which she was a passenger crashed on Aslington Street in Rockingham. The 2013 race generated $4,312 for the animal advocacy group.